How much control do writers have over the characters they create? F'rinstance, say someone on another title wants to have a story involve the Queen of Fables. Is it expected of them to let you know about this and seek guidance on getting her character righ

Well…hmm. It’s a good question.

It USED to be that in cases where a character’s creator still worked with the publisher, you would just ask politely if it was cool to use that person’s character. Editorial would do the actual clearing for it, but it was always considered good manners.

That’s pretty much gone, now. Most writers and editors just use who they want, the editors get the approval and the creators are rarely consulted or even informed.

I think it’s a bad system. Editors should have final say, I agree. But it takes very little more time and effort to ask, and it always, always makes for a better story and for less hurt feelings.

The companies own the characters. But someone CREATED those characters and courtesy shouldn’t be a big deal.

I try to ask to use a character personally even if their creator no longer works at the publisher. I asked JHWilliams AND Greg Rucka to use Batwoman and both were absolutely splendidly gracious and helpful about it. It’s just courtesy, and I’ll keep doing it because it’s the right thing to do. It’s very much appreciated when other creators feel the same way, AND it saves off-model fill-ins and guest appearances quite a lot of the time.

That’s the unvarnished truth! Finding out a character you created is being  used on some internet news site is always a bit like someone mailing you a fart in an envelope. It may be legal, but it doesn’t do much good for anyone.